Bullying Legislation Will Complement Dearborn District Policies

The news that the Michigan House approved anti-bullying legislation without contained in a recently-approved State Senate bill was met with enthusiasm from Dearborn Public Schools officials and community leaders.

But those same officials indicated that while they’re happy a bill appears headed for law in Michigan, homegrown efforts exceed what the bill requires in terms of what constitutes bullying behavior among young people and what efforts will be undertaken to promote understanding in one of Michigan’s most culturally diverse school districts.

Brian Whiston, the superintendent of Dearborn Schools, said the new bill, if it becomes law, will complement a comprehensive and aggressive district anti-bullying campaign .

“It’s important to all of us that children feel safe in the classroom, and we feel that our schools provide students with that level of comfort, “ he said. "However, the work continues, and we are dedicated to building a culture where children feel comfortable speaking with adults so that together we can reach peaceful resolutions.”

”Bullying is an issue, but we do not need the state to tell us that. We are addressing the issue because we care about kids, not because of the state law."

In Dearborn–a district where more than 30 percent of students are Muslim or Middle Eastern–the language in the bill approved by the state Senate that would exempt statements made that were borne of a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction” was a concern for community leaders because it could create a loophole for those that would bully another because of their religious persuasion.

Hassan Jaber, the executive director of , has closely monitored the bill and was happy the language regarding religion is absent from the House version.

“We congratulate lawmakers on strengthening this important bill," Jaber said in a statement. "The days of adults shrugging off bullying as a rite of childhood passage are over."

“A lack of determination against bullying is why this form of abuse has been accepted for generations,” he said. “Bullying has become increasingly more violent and damaging to children. Legislation protecting all children is a crucial first step toward creating a safer world for them.”

City efforts come first

Dearborn’s anti-bullying campaign is actually a community-wide effort that involves the city and businesses.

Though the district has had anti-bullying procedures in place for a long time, new provisions will include teacher training in bullying prevention, increased student and parent education activities, and increased community outreach activities.

Each of Dearborn Schools’ 32 facilities will have anti-bullying educational programs for all students, and the district will measure and track bullying behavior when and where it occurs to address so it can adequately address specific issues.

Michigan is one of only three states that have not enacted anti-bullying legislation, and while he’s please something will likely be in place soon, Whiston added that the issue was too important to state legislature to act.

"Bullying is an issue, but we do not need the state to tell us that,” he said. “We are addressing the issue because we care about kids, not because of the state law.”

Road to Approval

The Michigan House approved HB 4163 by a margin of 88 to 18. The bill was approved with bi-partisan support without the religious exemption language.

Rep. George Darany (D-Dearborn) said that while the bill was positive for Michigan students, it does not go far enough to protect children.

"At a time where a quality education is more important than ever to the success of our children, students should not have to worry about going to school in an environment where they do not feel safe,” he said. “Our Schools need to be able to focus on preparing our young people so they can compete for good-paying jobs in this rapidly changing 21st century global economy.”

Darany said the bill has flaws.

“For example, HB 4163 does not do enough to protect kids who are bullied over the Internet or on a cell phone," he said. "But this bill does embody a significant improvement from the damaging version that was passed by the Senate."

The legislation is likely to be taken up by the Michigan Senate after their break, which ends Nov. 29.

According to Amber McCann, a spokeswoman for state Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), the majority leader and other Senate Republicans are willing to approve the bill without the religious exception.

“The senator (Richardville) is open to supporting the bill as the house passed it,” she said.

McCann said that if there are changes made to the House bill in the Senate, the bill will go back to the House until a version both chambers can approve emerges.